Overview
Nonprofit organizations, just like for-profit entities, need financial software to manage their finances. However, accounting software for nonprofits comprise functions unique to them, such as tracking grants, donations and expenses, among others. Nonprofit accounting software is designed to cater to the complexities unique to nonprofit accounting, ensuring compliance with nonprofit accounting regulations while maintaining transparency and accuracy in bookkeeping. This article discusses the usage of nonprofit accounting software, benefits, features, drawbacks, and limitations.
Who Uses Nonprofit Accounting Software?
Nonprofit accounting software is commonly used by nonprofit organizations to simplify their bookkeeping. The software is ideal for small and mid-sized nonprofit organizations, charity organizations, churches, and other nonprofit-oriented entities that need bookkeeping solutions. Additionally, the software can be used by accountants or bookkeepers who specialize in nonprofit accounting.
Benefits of Nonprofit Accounting Software
Efficiency and Simplicity: One of the major benefits of nonprofit accounting software is efficiency and simplicity in financial management. The software automates processes, such as data entry, bank reconciliation and reporting, thereby saving time and reducing operational costs.
Accuracy: Nonprofit accounting software ensures accuracy in financial management, thus reducing risks of errors and frauds. The software allows easy tracking of expenses, donations and grants, providing accurate financial reports at any given time.
Critical Reporting: Nonprofit accounting software provides critical reports, such as fund balance, expense tracking, budgeting, and other financial information that an organization needs to measure its financial wellbeing. The reports enable organizations to ensure transparency and accountability, both of which are critical in nonprofit accounting.
Features of Nonprofit Accounting Software
Donation Management: Nonprofit accounting software helps organizations manage their donations by tracking individual donors, donation amounts, and donation sources. This feature also provides tools needed to manage donor communication and issue donation receipts.
Expense Management: Nonprofit accounting software also helps organizations manage expenses by tracking expenses, creating and paying bills, and ensuring that expenses are within the budget.
Grant Management: Nonprofit accounting software enables organizations to track grants, including grant proposals, applications, and reporting. The software keeps tracks of fund allocation and helps organizations avoid overlapping funds.
Five Relevant Software Products
1. QuickBooks Nonprofit (quickbooks.intuit.com)
QuickBooks Nonprofit is widely known for its user-friendliness, affordability, and accessibility. The software has a customized nonprofit chart of accounts, critical features such as donors, tracking and fundraising. QuickBooks provides various pricing options based on organizational size and budget. One drawback of QuickBooks is that it can be difficult to customize to the unique needs of a nonprofit organization.
2. Aplos (aplos.com)
Aplos is cloud-based accounting software designed specifically for nonprofit financial management. This software offers various tools, such as donation management, budgeting, grants tracking, and reporting. Aplos offers several pricing options based on features required and organization size. One drawback of Aplos is that there are occasionally lags due to cloud-based storage issues.
3. Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT (blackbaud.com)
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT is an all-in-one financial software specifically designed for the nonprofit sector. The software is well known for automated accounting processes, real-time reporting, and customizable dashboards. Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT offers extensive accounting tools and pricing options, but it is not as user-friendly as other options.
4. Accounting Suite (nonprofit.accountingsoftware.com)
Accounting Suite is a full-featured accounting software designed specifically for nonprofits. The software offers customized reporting and transactions, multi-user capabilities, and advanced nonprofit accounting features, such as pledge tracking and grant management. One limitation of Accounting Suite is that it can be expensive for small nonprofit organizations.
5. Zoho Books (zoho.com)
Zoho Books is cloud-based accounting software that is ideal for small and mid-sized organizations. It offers various accounting features, including expense management, donations tracking, budgeting, and reporting tools. Zoho offers competitive pricing plans and has a user-friendly interface. One limitation of Zoho Books is that it may not have advanced features for larger nonprofit organizations.
Conclusion
Nonprofit accounting software is a critical tool in the financial management of nonprofit organizations. The software offers various features that enable nonprofits to save time and reduce operational costs while enhancing accuracy, transparency, and accountability in their financial management. Organizations should weigh the benefits, features, and limitations of different software options available to choose those that best fit their accounting needs.